CIL:27227, Fundulus heteroclitus, epidermal cell, fibroblast. In Cell Image Library

Low magnification of the epidermal region of the Fundulus heteroclitus scale. The epidermis is separated from the collagen layers of the dermis by the basement membrane. The cells of the epidermis (top) are juxtaposed and well adhered to one another. The cells in the dermis, called fibroblasts, which synthesize extracellular matrix and collagen, are much more elongated and appear to be traveling through the collagen fibrils. Present in the epidermal cells are clusters of dark needle-like crystals that appear to be mineral deposits. It is important to note that the nuclear membranes of the fibroblasts appear to be dilated and lifted from the chromatin. This may have been an artifact of poor fixation.